It’s takes an entire village to raise a child and Cleveland’s very own Dartanyon Crockett and Leroy Sutton (www.carryontrust.org) need Ohio’s help as the race to qualify for the 2010 London Paralympics.
CLEVELAND, OH., April 6, 2010- Teens Dartanyon Crockett and Leroy Sutton catapulted into the national spotlight last year with their heartfelt story of friendship, perseverance and hope – a story that aired on ESPN. Now Leroy and Dartanyon are embarking upon the next exciting chapter of their lives: training for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
The best friends from Cleveland, Ohio created an unbreakable bond through wrestling, with two life-altering physical disabilities at the core. Dartanyon suffers from Leber’s disease and is legally blind and Leroy is a double-amputee. Despite their limitations, both shined on the Lincoln-West High School wrestling team. Due to the lack of wheelchair accessibility in high school gyms and on team busses, Dartanyon physically carried Leroy on his back on and off bus rides and at wrestling matches. ESPN documented this special brotherhood all the way through their emotional high school graduation, where Dartanyon accompanied Leroy as he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
Through it all, receiving their diploma often seemed an insurmountable goal, as their school’s graduation rate is roughly forty percent. However, their persistence paid off, and crossing the stage together was just the beginning. As a result of the overwhelming response to ESPN’s feature, viewers established an educational trust, enabling both young men to enroll in college. Dartanyon now attends Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland , while Leroy headed west to Collins College in Arizona.
In addition, both young men have been identified as potential members of the U.S. Paralympic team. Dartanyon is learning judo, while Leroy trains as a power lifter. In order to qualify for the U.S. National Team in their respective sports, each must compete in several preliminary events throughout the U.S. and abroad. Until they earn a spot on the U.S. National Team, each is financially responsible for their own training, travel and tournament entry fees. Therefore, supporters of The Carry On for Education Trust have initiated an Ohio-based fundraising campaign, asking each resident to donate $1 to Dartanyon and Leroy’s special dream.
“Dartanyon and Leroy are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support they have received in the last few months,” said Justin Hons, the boys’ high school teacher and wrestling coach. “They have experienced life-altering emotional and financial struggles, but they’re still fighting. I’m inspired by their resilience and encourage all Ohio residents to support Dartanyon and Leroy as they endeavor to qualify for the 2012 US Paralympic Team.”
